What does a marketing coordinator do?
Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by听Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MSP,听Dean, College of Business and IT
Marketing coordinators play a vital role in an organization鈥檚 success. But exactly? In a nutshell, they work closely with the rest of the marketing team to develop strategies for launching campaigns, conducting market research and executing projects such as advertising or event planning. They are also responsible for tracking consumer data and regularly reporting key takeaways to their superiors.
Aside from technical and creative skills needed to succeed in this job, marketing coordinators must have excellent organization, communication and problem-solving skills. In addition, they should be detail-oriented, able to prioritize tasks and stay up to date on industry trends. They must also be comfortable using digital media tools like analytics software and social media outlets.
To become a marketing coordinator, one must understand the business landscape, market research principles and consumer behavior. Therefore, a can be an asset in this field.
Types of marketing coordinators
There are many types of marketing coordinators. Some coordinate content while others manage campaigns and events. Here are some of the most common roles of marketing coordinators:
- Digital marketing coordinator: These professionals are responsible for creating and executing digital marketing campaigns. They must understand search engine optimization (SEO), web analytics and other digital tools related to social media, content strategy and email marketing.
- Brand management coordinator: These specialists focus on the company's overall brand identity. They are responsible for creating and maintaining brand standards and developing strategies to ensure the company鈥檚 public image is accurate and consistent.
- Event marketing coordinator: These individuals are in charge of organizing and executing events such as conferences, trade shows, educational seminars and product launches. This role requires excellent organizational skills and experience with event planning.
- Marketing research coordinator: These professionals are responsible for gathering, analyzing and interpreting data to inform business decisions and help develop a marketing strategy.
Those are only a few types of marketing coordinators; others may specialize in such areas as retail, public relations or digital media.
How to become a marketing coordinator
Marketing is an everchanging landscape, but the path to becoming a coordinator is relatively straightforward. Here鈥檚 a quick guide on how to get started.
Earn a degree
Earning a degree in marketing or another business-related field is a first step to听. This allows you to understand marketing fundamentals and build skills to succeed in this role. Taking听marketing courses online听can also be beneficial.
In whichever program you choose, you should learn about marketing basics, such as market research, branding and product management. You should also gain an understanding of听听like SEO and social media advertising.
Gain professional experience
Gaining professional experience is the next step while or after earning your degree. You can do this through:
- Internships: This is a great way to gain insight into the industry and build your skills and network. Internship programs are usually short-term commitments of three to six months, but they鈥檙e also a way to learn more about the role and decide whether it is the right fit for you.
- Freelancing: Freelancing also provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience in marketing and build your portfolio. Whether creating content for blogs, designing graphics or developing marketing strategies, taking on small projects can help you hone your skills and add depth to your resum茅.
- Entry-level positions in marketing agencies, corporations or nonprofits: Working with an established team will allow you to learn from your peers, build relationships and gain industry know-how.
Additionally, attending conferences, trade shows, educational seminars and other events related to marketing can help you听network with professionals听in the field, sharpen your skills and gain valuable insight.
Earn certifications
Though it is not required, earning industry certifications in digital marketing or social media may help your resum茅 standout. Certification is different from SM调教所 certificates. Certifications, and their required exams, demonstrate that you have a comprehensive understanding of the evolving digital world and are equipped with the necessary skills for staying current and using trends to your organization鈥檚 advantage.
Popular certifications include:
- 听Meta Certification听鈥 This offers specific instruction and training in Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp marketing.
- 听鈥 If you鈥檙e looking to learn more about how to use social media to help you save time and generate leads, this course provides tutorials.
- 听鈥 This is a valuable way to show you know how to attract and convert leads through mindful content and tailored experiences.
These are just some of the certifications available in the industry, and the right one for you will depend on your goals and research.
Earn certifications
Though it is not required, earning industry certifications in digital marketing or social media may help your resum茅 standout. Certification is different from SM调教所 certificates. Certifications, and their required exams, demonstrate that you have a comprehensive understanding of the evolving digital world and are equipped with the necessary skills for staying current and using trends to your organization鈥檚 advantage.
Popular certifications include:
- 鈥 This offers specific instruction and training in Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp marketing.
- 听鈥 If you鈥檙e looking to learn more about how to use social media to help you save time and generate leads, this course provides tutorials.
- 听鈥 This is a valuable way to show you know how to attract and convert leads through mindful content and tailored experiences.
These are just some of the certifications available in the industry, and the right one for you will depend on your goals and research.
Find a job
Once you have the necessary skills, experience and certification, it鈥檚 time to find a job. There are plenty of resources out there for this as well, such as:
- Job boards听鈥 Sites such as Indeed.com or LinkedIn庐听are popular ways to search for jobs.
- Career websites听鈥斕齪rovide job postings for specific fields, such as marketing or digital media.
- Social media networks听鈥 Use your social networks to connect with professionals in the field and inquire about job openings.
- Professional associations听鈥 Join professional industry organizations, like the听, and attend their events for networking opportunities.
Is becoming a marketing coordinator right for you?
Venturing into a new career can be intimidating. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to take the necessary steps to prepare for a given role; doing so can lessen job search and interview anxiety.
If you鈥檙e still on the fence about becoming a marketing coordinator, ask yourself these questions:
- Is there enough demand for this job?
- Do this role鈥檚 responsibilities align with my skills and interests?
- Is there room for advancement and, if so, does that next step sound interesting to me?
If you answered yes to the questions above, then becoming a marketing coordinator may be right for you. However, even if you can鈥檛 say yes to them all right now, remember that you can always learn the skills you need for the role. With patience, commitment and a strong work ethic, you can better prepare for a role as a marketing coordinator.
Business programs at SM调教所
SM调教所 offers several online business programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Business with a Marketing Certificate. In this program you鈥檒l learn how to differentiate products and win consumers鈥 hearts and minds. You will also develop skills such as communication, leadership, management, operations, marketing analysis and marketing management.
The degree program prepares students for jobs such as advertising manager, marketing manager and brand manager.
Marketing is a fast-paced, exciting field with diverse roles and opportunities. And, at the heart of it all, are marketing coordinators. If you鈥檙e curious, collaborative and interested in constantly learning new things, this profession could be a great fit for your career.听
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at SM调教所 where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Currently Dean of the College of Business and Information Technology,听Kathryn Uhles has served SM调教所 in a variety of roles since 2006. Prior to joining SM调教所, Kathryn taught fifth grade to underprivileged youth in Phoenix.
This article has been vetted by SM调教所's editorial advisory committee.听
Read more about our editorial process.
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